The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-08-25
A STORY OF THE WAR.
A Federal officer Becomes the Friend of the
Daughter of the Man He Killed in Battle.

LOUISVILLE Aug 24-The Courier Journal
has the following from Edgsfield S. c.: The
death of Col W. r. Smith, which took place in
New York a few weeks since, has brought to
light very remarkable incident. Miss Rhetr
Myron, the principal figure the drama. is a
personal friend of your correspondent and from
her the following facts have been obtained. with
permission for their publication:
Hayne Myron the father of this young lady,
was'a planter in South Carolina His home
typical Southern home. spacious and hospita-
BILE, surrounded by broad acres and faithful
slaves. His family consisted of his wife and
Rhett, who was then a little child, and the idol
of her father as well as the pet of the planta-
tion. At the breaking out of the war. in the fall
of 1861, Hayne Myron Joined a volunteer South
Carolina regiment.
Before leaving home he had a picture of his
little girl painted in miniature and incased it in
locket that he placed next to his heart, saying,
My darling, this will be papa's shield when he
is in danger, and mis- sunshine when he rests"
and with eyes filled with tears he smothered the
face and sunny head of his child with farewell
kisses. and hurried away from his peaceful home
out to the world of danger Six months later
in a skirmish in Virginia. Hayne Myron was
killed, In close combat, by federal officer
Only a few words were sent to the old home TO
tell the sad story.
During Gen. Sherman's invasion into South
Carolina the Myron homestead destroyed
The widow and daughter continued to live on the
plantation in sn out-building, supported by the
rents from the land. Two years ago Mrs.
Myron died. and through the influence
of friends, Miss Myron obtained a posi-
alor col f Nav Tor the She f s,n5aS
to me that her first meeting with Colonel Smith
was peculiar that when his wife introduced her
to him, saying This is governess
from South Carolina, Miss Rhett Myron," his
face became deadly white and he gave sudden
start. He absent from home when Mrs.
Smith engaged herr He mechanically shook
har6 de- vs& i ii l. 49, e liz.
seemed sealed. But later his manner changed
to kindness and cordially, and she treated
more as an honored guest than salaried
teacher He insisted on paying her four times
the amount she charged for her services, and
made her duties light. One evening she was
sitting in the family circle, telling of her past
life down in South Carolina, of the spacious
house with its twenty columns, of the
dusky slaves who used to set her on their
shoulders calling her their little queen"
they carried her through the cotton-helds that
looked like seas of snow foam. For the first
time she spoke of their father. how handsome
and sad he looked he away that
dreadful last day; now he took her picture with
him, and told all he said. She states that che
was forced to stop in the midst of her words, for
Colonel Smith turned chastity pale and LETT the
room. 1T all seemed strange to me them" she
said but the meaning is plain now. Miss
Myron continued to live with Colonel Smiths
family for two years. st haven and
home to me-" she said; II had so long tolled and
worked on our plantation, isolated from society
and all advantages, it was like fairy life had
opened TO me OF ease ana luxury. OuG nearE
was almost breaking. as l remembered all that
/ had lost in those sad. sweet days"
Six weeks ago Col Smith taken suddenly
ill, and when he realized that death newt
able he expressed desire see Miss Myron
alone She states that she neared the bed
of the dying man. she saw him holding some
thing convulsively in one hand, as he extended
the other to her and exclaimed: '.Rhett Myron
forgive me before die without your pardon
cannot die; come close and listen to what have
to tell you. 1t was who made you orphan;
hands blood.
Take this" he said, handing the pack
age; II found it his dying breast 1t is
your face your name and his name are upon it.
Take it and forgive one who has tried to expate
the wrongs done you Oh, you forgive
dying mani" and the voice became faint and
low. 'Oh. sir, you both were soldiers; 1 freely
forgive" and the poor girl, who could say
more. fell unconscious upon the floor. THANK
God" he murmured. and all was over.
When Rhett Myron recovered, the man who
had killed her father and who was later the best
friend she ever knew. dead. In his will he
bequeathed to her the generous sum of SO, 900.
He also left letter giving all the particulars of
her fathers death.